Apparatus for feeding warp thread to knitting machines



- 1944- F. .KLUMPP ETAL 2,340,889

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING WARP THREAD TO KNITTING MACHINES I Filed Dec. 50,1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 271 29 30 3/ 35 I 26 33 I "1 1 I I T I25 26a 24a.22 23 22 a: 2 w 38a. 23 25 38 1: 2 1? 42 40 is Z/ O v O INVENTORS F: a.1 lfLl/M P gala: kuy gz a tifb F 1944- F. KLUMFP ETAL I APPARATUS FORFEEDING WARP THREAD TO KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 30, 1942 4Sheets-Sheet 2 I mll llll] IIHI "um" INVENTO S r [all I f C/lsrle; H;al-VI Z ATTORNEYIY,

Feb. 8, UM ETAL APPARATUS FOR FEEDING WARP THREAD TO KNITTING MACHINESFiled Dec. 30, 1942 4 SheetS-Shegt 3 ,1 C1. 4-

Charles 1?. caLw/v Ai :ORN EY Feb. 8, 1944.

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING WARE THREAD T0 F. KLUMPP ETAL Filed Dec. 30, 1942KNITTING MACHINES 4' Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS:

Ferd trzand Khan o muse; 4 B) Bessz Klumpp, EAElUrR/X, II f Char! (alvinA TTORNEY.

Patented yet. a, 1944 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING WARP 7 TO KNITTING MACHINESrnnnan" Ferdinand Klumpp, deceased, late of Union City, v

N. J., by Bessie Klumpp, N. 1., and Charles H. Colvin, assignors toRobert Relner,

executrix, Union City, Morrlstown, N. 1., Inc., Weehawkcn,

Application December 30. 1942, Sam No. 410,540 In Great Britain February5, 1942 This application is a continuation in part of our patentapplication Serial #278,392, filed on June 10, 1939, for an apparatusfor feeding filler thread to a knitting machine.

The invention relates to textile machines, and more particularly to anapparatus for feeding thread to a knitting machine.

One object of the invention is to provide an apparatus by means of whichthreads of any kind, for example elastic threads or non-elastic threads,may be fed to a-knitting machine under a substantially constant tension.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, by meansofwhich threads of any kind may be fed to the knitting instrumentalitiesof a knitting machine in such a manner that the threads are in a properpredetermined condition of tautness as they are formed into a fabric.

A further object of the invention is to provide warp feeding mechanismsfor a knitting machine of the type generally referred to as a warpknitting machine which are practical and efllcient in operation andwhich are automatically responsive to a condition of the warp.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in thedetailed description thereof which follows or will be apparent from suchdescription.

In order to carry out the invention in practice we provide an apparatusfor feeding warp thread to a knitting machine comprising, incombination, a beam, means including an electric motor for drivingsaid'beam, means for tensioning the thread as it is fed from said beam,and means responsive to a variation in the tension of said thread foraffecting the operative condition of said electric motor.

In order that the invention may be readily understood and its practicaladvantages fully appreciated reference may be had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a convenient form of apparatus for feeding threads to awarp knitting machine is shown. However, it will be understood that theinvention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms of constructionthan that shown and that the feeding apparatus according to theinvention may be used for the feeding of threads to textile machines orthe like other than warp knitting machines, for example straight barknitting machines or circular knitting machines.

In the drawings is:

Fig. 1 an elevation, partly in section, of a warp knitting machinehaving warp and filler feed- 13 Claims.

ing mechanisms according to the invention associated therewith, aportion of the warp knitting machine being broken away,

Fig. 2 a fragmentary top plan view of the warp feeding mechanism,

Fig. 3 a fragmentary front elevation of the warp feeding mechanism,

Fig. 4 a fragmentary elevation of the filler feeding mechanism,

Fig. 5 a fragmentary elevation of a portion of the warp feedingmechanism illustrating a mercury switch controlled by a balanced memberof the mechanism,

Fig. 6 a fragmentary elevation, partly in section taken on line 6-6 ofFig. 7, of a portion of a different embodiment of the warp feedingmechanism illustrating photo-electrical control means controlled by abalanced member of the mechanism, and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the detail shown in Fig. 6, taken on line1-1 of Fig. 6.

Flat knitting machines, for example, warp knitting machines, in manyinstances employ warp beams on which are wound a desired number of warpthreads or ends which are drawn from the beam as they are knitted intofabric by the needles of the machine. As these threads are knitted, thebeam revolves, and in most instances it is necessary to provide somesort of a beam brake to prevent the beam from running free andpermitting a loose or slack condition of the warp thread at the knittingneedles. Various types of friction brakes have been devised forpreventing free rotation of the beams, but have met with indifferentsuccess because they are inherently incapable of permitting rotation ofthe beam at the time and in the amount required. If the friction devicehas a suflicient braking action on the beam to prevent the beam fromover-running because of its momentum, the pull of the warp threadsnecessary to turn the beam initially against the friction of the brakeplaces the threads under greater tension than is usually desired, thisbeing particularly so in the case of highly elastic yarns such ascertain worsted yarns and lastex yarns.

In the case of elastic threads, such as lastex yarns, it is practicallyimpossible with friction brakes to control the feed of the yam' in sucha way that it is under a substantially constant tension. This lack ofcontrol often results in a fabric of uneven texture with promiscuouslyscalloped edges. In the case of loosely spun yarns, such as 7 line gaugeloosely spun worsted yarns of slight tensile strength, a friction brakedevice for controlling mm mum is practically useless and sometimesharmful. Furthermore, the weight'of the beam is often so substantialthat the force to overcome its inertia is greater than thecoijhbinedqtensilestrength f the threads which'pull the beam, with theresult that the threads part; This condition is particularly evident inthe manufacture of narrow fabrics where the total warp ends arerelatively few'in relation to the size and weight of the beam.- Stillother types of warp threads such as, for exainple,

asbestos, have practically no-tensile strength at all and cannotproperly be formed into a fabric unless they are slack at the needles.It will be apparent that under such conditions a friction brake for thebeam would actually be disadvantageous and a freer mining beam would notsolve inflexibility of the metal. In some cases a cer-,

tain amount of slack is required in the metal warp threads where certaintypes of metal cloth are being made. Either condition of the metalthread is difllcult, if not impossible to obtain with the conventionalfrictionally restrained beam.

Often the above-noted fabrics, in addition to others, require theincorporation therein of filler threads. Here again it is desired tocontrol accurately the tension of such threads as they are corporatedinto the fabric, regardless of the texture of the threads or theirtensile strength. In so far as we havebeen able to determine, there hasbeen no satisfactory solution of the problems encountered in properlytensioning such filler threads as desired in different types and kindsof fabrics. Often but a single strand is incorporated as a filler, andwhere the thread being used has but slight tensile strength, it is clearthat the forces exerted on the thread by the pull of the machine must beaccommodated or counteracted in order to avoid breakage. Wherean'elastic filler is being incorporated into the fabric, it is oftendesirable to maintain the tension of the thread at a predetermined,constant value, and for the reason pointed out hereinabove, conventionalfriction brakes devices are unsatisfactory.

It is accordingly another object of this invention to obviate the abovementioned difllculties, and to provide warp and filler feeding mechanismwhich solves the several problems referred to in a thoroughly efficientand practical manner.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a warp knitting machine isgenerally indicated at I 0, and this machine may be similar to thatshown in the U. S. Patent #2',247,092, Knitting machine, issued toFerdinand Klumpp and Fritz Lambach on June 24, 1941. Machine III, whichcorresponds generally to that type of knitting machine generallyreferred to as a warp knitting machine, comprises suitable frames I land I2 rising from a base It which with the frame supports the operating-mechanism of the machine substantially as described in detail in theaforementioned U. S.'Patent #2,24'l,092. Machine III also includesknitting instrumentalities which in general comprise one or more needlebanks, a plurality of longituaaaaaaa dinally arranged sinkers l3 andcooperating sets of loopers l3. Needles l4, sinkers l5, and loopers I3coact upon operation of the machine to knit thread or yarn suppliedthereto into a fabric which, if desired, may have incorporated therein afiller through the operation of a carrier or filler laying mechanism II.If desired, a complete deuprights 20 and 2|.

scription of these several instrumentalities may be found in the abovenoted U. S. Patent Frames II and I2 support a suitable number of arms l8and I! which in turn support posts or These posts have mounted thereonsuitable hangers or brackets 22 disposed at opposite ends of the machineand between which supporting tubes 23 extend. Any suitable number ofsupporting tubes 23 may be provided, but for illustrative purposes thedrawings show a pair at the left hand side or front of the machine. asviewed in Fig. 1, and a pair at the rear of the machine. Tubes 23therefore comprise suitable supports for pairs of notched bars 24 and25, these bars being located at opposite ends of the machine to providesuitable beam supports.

The yarn or thread knitted in-a knitting machine of the type underconsideration is usually wound in suitable lengths on a beam, and as theyarn is knitted into fabric by the machine, it is drawn from the beameffecting rotation thereof. Such a beam (see the top of Fig. l) isindicated at 26 and is supported on upper beam supports 24, beingmaintained against displacement by notches 24a in upper supports 24.Beam 26 has a suitable supply of warp yarn or thread W. As notedhereinabove, conventional beam rotation controls usually take the formof a friction brake or the like which prevents free running of the beam.As noted, however, there are many disadvantages to this type of beamcontrol, and to the preclusion thereof the mechanism now to be describedhas been provided for.

As shown in Fig. 1, the upper left hand tube support 23 has mountedthereon a discoid 21, the upper portion 21a of which (see Figs. 2 and 3)carries an electric motor 28. The upper end of the motor housing hasattached thereto a casing 29 which contains suitable speed reductiongears comprising a self-locking worm meshing with a worm gear. Saidspeed reduction gears are connected to a pinion 30 which meshes with agear 3| (Figs. 1 and 2) mounted on the axle or spindle 26a of beam 26.Operation of motor 28, as will be described in detail hereinafter, thuseffects rotation of beam 26 through the action of gears 30 and 3|, butbecause of the speed reduction afforded by the gears in housing 29, beam26 is rotated at suitably slow speed.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a pair of brackets 33 and 34 are suitablymounted on upper tubular support 23, and as is more clearly shown inFig. 1, the upper surfaces of these brackets are inclined with respectto the horizontal, and are provided with a series of notches 33a and 34a(Fig. 3) respectively. A drum or roller 35 is suitably supported on aspindle 36, and the opposite ends of the spindle are carried incorresponding notches 33a and 34a of supports 33 and 34.

suitably pivoted to the hangers and adapted to adjustably receiverespectively frame bars 4| and 42, the left hand ends of which, asviewed in Fig. 2, are connected by a rod 43 or the like. The oppositeends of bars 4| and 42 are also connected by a rod 44, and between rods48 and 44 we provide a tension bar or roller 45, the oppo-- site ends ofwhich are supported or iournalled in rods 4| and 42 (see Fig. 3). Asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, rod 44 carries a depending weight 48, the massof which may be varied in accordance with the tension desired to beimparted to warp W as will be described below.

Referring to the upper left hand portion of Fig. 1, the warp threads Ware taken from beam 28, led beneath tension bar 45, passed over roller38 and thence trained downwardly across a guide 41 suitably secured tomachine II and finally through loopers It to needles l4. It may now beseen that by reason of the warp threads W passing under tension roller45 frame bars 4| and 42 together with tension roller 45, rod 44 andweight 48 comprise a balance member having opposed forces actingthereon, i. e., the upward pull of warp threads W and the downward forceexerted by weight 48. It will also be clear that the force exerted byweight 48, and hence the tension on warp threads W, may be varied asdesired either by varying the distance between tension roller 45 andpivot blocks 38 and 40, or by varying weight 48.

As best shown in Fig. 5, motor 28 is connected in circuit with a mercuryswitch 48, which is supported in a cradle 48 mounted on the upper end-31a of the hanger 31. Cradle 48 includes a downwardly extending arm 50from which extends a stud which is received in a fork 52 secured to theend of a rod 53, the lower end of rod 53 being fixed to pivot Brook 33(see Fig. 3). As rod 53 is related to frame bars 4| and 42 at thepivotal axis thereof, slight angular movement of the bars effectssubstantial angular displacement of fork 52. Thus, as viewed in Fig. 5,clockwise movement of rod 53 and fork 52 causes counter-clockwisemovement of switch 48 causing the mercury therein to flow away fromswitch contacts 48a and 48b to break the circuit to motor 28. Similarly,counter-clockwise movement of rod 53 causes clockwise movement ofmercury switch 48 to close the circuit to the motor.

From the above it will now be clear that as warp threads W (Fig. 1) aredrawn into machine It by the action of the knitting instrumentalitiestherein, the threads pull against tension roller 45 to causecounter-clockwise movement of frame bars 4| and 42. As hereinbeforenoted, this effects clockwise movement of mercury switch 48 to energizemotor 28. Energization of the motor causes rotation of beam 28, and thuswarp thread is positively fed by the beam, which'preeludes an increasein thread tension. Feeding of the warp thread, however, by motor 28,eases the pull of the warp threads and thus permits tension roller 45and the associated frame bars 4| and 42 to drop, 1. e., the frame barsmove clockwise. This effects counter-clockwise movement of mercuryswitch 48, which breaks the circuit to motor 28 and feeding of warp bybeam 25 ceases. creases in the tension of the warp thread W, beam 28 isoperated or its rotation is stopped, and in effect the tension of thewarp threads is maintained at a constant uniform value for the followingreasons: The warp threads W are maintained under tension by the weight48 acting on Thus, for but slight increases or dethe frame bars orlevers 4| and 42. The angle of rotation of the levers 4| and 42 aboutthe pivots of the pivot blocks 88 and 48 between their lower endposition and their upper end position for controlling the mercury switch48 is extremely small (it has been found in practice that the stroke ofthe weight is as low as 15 or less), so

that the moment of torsion caused by the action of the weight 48 on thelevers 4i and 42 remains the same for all positions of said levers. Aconstant moment of torsion in turn result in a constant tension of thewarp threads W during the feeding thereof.

Furthermore, it may be mentioned that the self-locking worm of the speedreduction gears enclosed in the casing 28 and connected to the beam 28by the Bears 88 and 8| serves to lock the beam when the beam is notdriven b the motor 28, so that the tensioning means 4| to 48 remains inthe position shown in Fig. 1 when the beam is not driven. In otherwords, the warp beam drive comprising the motor 28, the speed reductionears including the self-locking worm in the housing 28, the pinion 88and-the gear 3| acts as a positive brake against rotation of the beamwhen not driving the beam.

While the drawings illustrate but one warp beam and but a single controlthereof, it will be obvious that a plurality of beams and controls maybe used to supply as many sets of warp threads as are desired up topractical limitations. It will also be clear from the above thatregardless of the type of warp threads being used, its tension or lackof tension can be readily and closely controlled so that in the case ofelastic warp threads, such threads can be knitted while under tension soas to result in an elastic fabric.

Where warp threads of little or no tensile.

strength are being knitted, there is no danger of the threads being tornby reason of the pull exerted thereon by the knitting action, as thethreads can be positively fed through the action of motor 28, asdescribed. Similarly, where a metal cloth is being manufactured, and itis desired to maintain the metal warp threads under high tension, thissubstantial tension can readily be maintained by the control hereindescribed, where it would be difllcult if not impossible to do so with aconventional friction beam brake.

As hereinbefore noted, it is often desirable to incorporate a fillerthread or threads into the fabrics as it is being knitted. To this end,we have provided the filler feed mechanism generally indicated at 54(left hand side of Fig. 1). Filler feed mechanism 54 comprises astandard or support 55 which carries a lower platform 58 and an uppersupport 51. shown in Fig. 4, a spindle 58 has its inner end rotatablymounted in platform 51, the spindle extending from the platform so as tosupport a spool 59 of filler thread F. Spindle 58 also carn'es a spurgear which meshes with a gear 8|, adapted to be driven by a motor 82through a speed reduction mechanism including a worm meshing with a wormgear arranged within the casing 53. Preferably, the worm is of theselflocking type. Thus, as gears 6| and 58 are operated by the motor,spool 59 is rotated at a suitable rate of speed to unwind filler threadF therefrom, and, on the other hand, the filler spool drive comprisingthe motor 52, the speed reduction gears including the self-locking wormin the housing 83, the pinion 58 and the gear 8| acts as a positivebrake against rotation of the spool when not driving the spool.

As is more clearly.

Filler thread-F is led through an eye 04 carricd by arm 85 suitablysecured to support 55, and from this eye it is passed through anothereye 66 secured to the top of a weighted shutter 61. Shutter 61 isprovided with guide arms 68 which embrace vertical guide posts 69 and09a (Fig. 1) which constrain the weighted shutter to movement in avertical plane, as will be described.

Platform 56 includes an extension 50a on which a source of light 10 ismounted. Lighting device 10 is arranged and adapted to cast a beam B oflight in the direction of a photoelectric cell II, which is connected ina conventional manner to a suitable switch generally indicated at I2,switch I2, in turn, being connected to motor 62 to effect energizationand deenergization thereof as the beam B falls on photocell 'II, or iscut off there from by shutter 61.

It will thus appear that weighted shutter 61 is the controlling factorof the feed of filler thread F.

From eye 66 on weighted shutter 61 filler thread F is led throughanother eye I3 in arms 65 (Fig, l) and from this eye the filler threadleads to I suitable eyes on carrier H, which reciprocates, as

described in the above mentioned U. S. Patent #2247092, to lay thefiller in the fabric as it is knitted. As the carrier I'I reciprocates,it draws filler thread F into machine I with the result that weightedshutter 61, which hangs on a loop of the filler, is pulled upwardlyalong guide rods 69 and 69a. However, as soon as the shutter risessufficiently so that beam B from light source I0 can fall on photocellII, motor 63 is energized to cause rotation of filler spool 50. Thiseffects a positive feed of filler thread F, and therefore there is notension created on the filler by the reciprocation of carrier II otherthan that resulting from the weight of weighted shutter 61. If butlittle tension is desired in filler thread F, the weight of shutter 6'!may be adjusted accordingly. If substantial tension in the filler threadis desired, it is obvious that the attainment thereof is readilyeffected by increasing the weight of the shutter. In any event, thevalue of the tension under which filler thread F is drawn into themachine is maintained substantially constant, which assures an evenlytextured fabric free from a ruiiied or scalloped effect. It will beclear that this condition will obtain regardless of the nature of thefiller thread, and it also will appear that by reason of the positivefeed of filler thread, a thread of very low tensile strength may be usedwithout risk of the threads parting,

Thus, the above described mechanisms provide for an automatic feed forboth warp and filler threads of such a nature that regardless of thekind of thread or arn being used, the tension under which it is beingfabricated may be maintained at a predetermined constant value with theresult that an evenly textured fabric is readily attainable.Furthermore, by reason of the positive feed effected by the warp andfiller feed devices, warp and filler threads of extremely low tensilestrength may be fabricated to form a fabric of a finenessheretoforeunattainable in a machine of this character. As substantialflexibility of adjustment is afforded by the controls according to theinvention, elastic yarns may be readily fabricated to form fabrics ofsubstantially any desired elasticity up to the elastic limits of thethreads employed.

According to the provision of the above described apparatus, the variousobjects hereinbefore described are attained in a thoroughly practicaland efficient manner.

The photoelectric control means I0--'I2,controlled by the shutter 61 ofthe filler feeding mechanism may be replaced by any other suitablecontrol means such as a mercury switch or any other switch which, inturn, is controlled by a suitable controlling member substituted for theshutter 61.

Likewise, the controlling mercury switch 48 of the warp feedingmechanism controlled bythe balanced member 4I-46 may be replaced by anyother suitable control means, for example by photo-electrical means.Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment of our invention according towhich such photo-electrical control means are used in the warp feedingmechanism. Said Figs. 6 and 7 show some parts corresponding to partsshown in Fig. 5, and similar reference numerals are usedto indicate suchcorresponding parts. The swingable loaded member or frame bar 4| engagedwith the pivot block 39 is pivotally mounted on the lower end of thehanger 31 at I00. The hanger3'I adjustably embracing the bar has anenlarged head IN. A bracket generally indicated by I02 is secured to thehanger 31 by means of screws I03 or the like. The upper end of rod 53fixed to the block 39 has a fork 52 in engagement with a stud I04mounted on a control member or plate I05 swingably arranged on the headIOI of the hanger 31 at I06. The movable control member I05 passesthrough a slot I01 of the bracket I02. If the loaded frame bar '4I is inthe position shown in Fig. 6, the swingable plate I05 is in such aposition that it is in the path of the light rays emanating from asource I08 of light mounted on top of the bracket I02, so that the lightrays cannot reach the photo-electric cell I09 mounted on the bracket I02and electrically connected with the motor coupled with the warp beam; inthis position of the movable parts of the warp feeding mechanism, themotor is not energized. If, however, owing to a change in the tension ofthe warp threads, the frame bar M and rod 53 are moved incounter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, the control plate I05is swung in clockwise direction out of the path of the light rays, sothat the latter reach the photo-electric cell I09 and cause anenergization of the motor for driving the warp beam, until, upon'aclockwise movement of the loaded frame bar M and rod 31, the controlplate I05 is again moved into the path of light rays for interruptingsame and causing a stoppage of the motor.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to ,be .interpreted as illustrative and not ina limiting sense.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus for feeding warp thread to a knitting machinecomprising, in combination, a beam, means including an electric motorfor driving said beam, means for tensioning the thread as it is fed fromsaid beam, and means responsive to a variation in the tension of saidthread for affecting the operative condition of said electric motor.

2. An apparatus for feeding warp thread to a knitting machinecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed thread therefrom, means for maintaining the thread undertension, and electrical means controlled by said tensioning means foraltering the operative condition of said electromotor in response to avariation in the thread tension.

3. An apparatus for feeding warp thread to a knitting machinecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed thread therefrom, means for maintaining the thread undertension, and electrical means including a controlling switch in circuitwith said electromotor and operatively connected with said tensioningmeans for altering the operative condiiton of said electromotor inresponse to a variation in the thread tension.

4. An apparatus for feeding warp thread to a knitting machinecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed therad therefrom, means for maintaining the thread undertension, and. electrical means including photo-electric means in circuitwith said electromotor and controlled by said tensioning means foraltering the operative condition of said electromotor in response to avariation in the thread tension.

5. An apparatus for feeding warp thread to a knitting machinecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed thread therefrom, means for locking the beam when notdriven by said electromotor, means for maintaining the thread undertension, and means responsive to a variation in the thread tension foraffecting the operative condition of said electromotor.

6. An apparatus for feeding Warp thread to a knitting machinecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed thread therefrom, means for locking the beam when notdriven by said electromotor, means for maintaining the thread undertension, and electrical means controlled by said tensioning means foraltering the operative condition of said electromotor in response to avariation in the thread tension.

7. An apparatus for feeding warp thread to a knitting machinecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed thread therefrom, means for locking the beam when notdriven by said electromotor, means for maintaining the thread undertension, and electrical means including a controlling switch in circuitwith said electromotor and operatively connected with said tensioningmeans for altering the operative condition of said electromotor inresponse to a variation in the thread tension.

8. An apparatus for feeding warp thread to a knitting machinecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed thread therefrom, means for locking the beam when notdriven by said electromotor, means for maintaining the thread undertension, and electrical means including photo-electrical means incircuit with said electromotor and controlled by said tensioning meansfor altering the operative condition of said electromotor in response toa variation in the thread tension.

9. A warp feeding mechanism for knitting machines or the likecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed warp thread therefrom, a-balanced member for maintainingthe warp thread under tension, and a controlling switch in circuit withsaid electromotor and operatively associated with said balanced member.said switch being adapted to alter the operative condition of saidelectromtor upon the creation of an unbalanced condition of saidbalanced member by a change in the value of the tension of the warpthread.

10. A warp feeding mechanism for knitting machines or the likecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed warp thread therefrom, means for locking the beam when notdriven by said electromotor, a swingable loaded member for maintainingthe warp thread under tension, and a controlling switch in circuit withsaid electromotor and operatively associated with said swingable loadedmember, said switch being adapted to alter the operative condition ofsaid electromotor upon a change in the position of said swingable loadedmember by a change in the value of the tension of the warp thread.

11. A warp feeding mechanism for knitting machines or the likecomprising, in combination, a beam, on electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed warp thread therefrom, speed reduction gears incluomg aself-locking worm arranged between said beam and said electromotorwhereby said beam is locked when not driven by said electromotor, aswingable loaded member for maintaining the warp thread under tension,and a controlling switch in circuit with said electromotor andoperatively associated with said swingable loaded member, said switchbeing adapted to alter the operative condition of said electromotor upona, change in the position of said swingabie loaded member by a change inthe value of the tension of the warp thread.

12. A warp feeding mechanism for knitting machines or the like compris'in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating said beam to feedwarp thread therefrom, means for locking the beam when not driven bysaid electromotor, a swingable loaded member for maintaining the warpthread under tension, photo-electhe means including a light source and alight sensitive cell in circuit withv said electromotor, and a, movablecontrol member operatively connected with said swingable loaded memberfor control of the passage of light between said light source and saidlight sensitive cell, said light sensitive cell being adapted to alterthe operative condition of said electromotor upon a change in theposition of said control member by a change in the value of the tensionof the warp thread.

13. A warp feeding mechanism for knitting machines or the likecomprising, in combination, a beam, an electromotor for rotating saidbeam to feed warp thread therefrom, speed reduction gears including aself-locking worm arranged between said beam and said electromotorwhereby said beam is locked when not driven by said electromotor, aswingable loaded member for maintaining the warp thread under tension,photo-electric means including a light source and a lightsensitive cellin circuit with said electromotor, and a movable control memberoperatively connected with said swingable loaded member for control ofthe passage of light between said light source and said light sensitivecell, said light sensitive cell being adapted to alter the operativecondition of said electromotor upon a. change in the position of saidcontrol member by a change in the value of the tension of the warpthread.

- BESSIE KLUMPP, Executm: of the Estate I Ferdinand Klumpp,

Deceased.

CHARLES H. COLVIN.

